KC NORML

Our Mission Statement

We strive to educate the Kansas City region about the medical and industrial benefits of the Cannabis Hemp plant, to expose the myths of alleged harms, and to inform the public of scientific studies involving the Cannabis Hemp plant, in order to invoke the reform of marijuana laws.

Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly.

Because NORML lobbies state and federal legislators, donations to NORML are not tax deductible. During the 1970s, NORML led the successful efforts to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses in 11 states and significantly lower marijuana penalties in all others.

Today NORML continues to lead the fight to reform state and federal marijuana laws, whether by voter initiative or through the elected legislatures. NORML serves as an informational resource to the national media on marijuana-related stories, providing a perspective to offset the anti-marijuana propaganda from the government; lobbies state and federal legislators in support of reform legislation; publishes a regular newsletter; hosts, along with the NORML Foundation, an informative web site and an annual conference; and serves as the umbrella group for a national network of citizen-activists committed to ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing marijuana.

The NORML Foundation sponsors public advertising campaigns to better educate the public about marijuana and alternatives to current marijuana policy; provides legal assistance and support to victims of the current laws; and undertakes relevant research.

NORML is the oldest, largest, and most respected cannabis marijuana law reform organization that is principally known for championing the legalization of cannabis in America from 9% in 1970 to 50% today. NORML maintains a professional staff in Washington, DC, headed by Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, and a network of volunteer state and local NORML Chapters across the country.

The primary functions of the NORML organization are to:

Educate the public, media and elected policymakers about cannabis and alternatives to failed prohibition laws;

Actively lobby elected policymakers at the local, state, federal and international level to change cannabis laws;

Litigate in the state and federal court systems to advance reforms (or to challenge prohibition-related laws);

Maintain a massive and publicly accessible repository of cannabis-related information;